Government Boosts Agricultural Development with High-Impact Projects Under 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans
A total of RM33mil has been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan to implement high-impact agricultural projects from 2026 to 2030, says Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
The government has committed significant funding to bolster agricultural development and food security through various high-impact initiatives under the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plans. These efforts aim to enhance food production, improve infrastructure, and support sustainable agricultural practices across the country.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin announced that RM33 million has been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan to implement high-impact agricultural projects from 2026 to 2030. This includes the Food Crop Production Zone Empowerment Project, which seeks to ensure the continuity of agricultural advancements nationwide.
Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, RM24.98 million was allocated to upgrade existing Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPMs), while RM18.47 million was directed toward developing new parks. TKPM upgrades have been rolled out across the country, except in Perlis, while new park development projects are underway in Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, and Perlis.
In addition to these initiatives, the government has introduced the Aquaculture Industrial Zone (ZIA) Development initiative to transform the aquaculture sector into a large-scale, sustainable, and competitive commercial industry. A total of RM18 million has been allocated under the 12th Malaysia Plan for the development of high-potential ZIAs focusing on fish, shrimp, and shellfish farming. To date, 54 ZIA locations have been identified nationwide, encompassing both marine and freshwater aquaculture. These efforts have resulted in 12,730 hectares of active cultivation, producing 9,044.46 metric tonnes of aquaculture products valued at RM684 million in 2024.
Another key project highlighted by Chan is the Jeniang Water Transfer Scheme in Kedah, approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan with an estimated cost of RM1.34 billion. Upon completion, the project will significantly enhance water management capacity and efficiency in Kedah, particularly within the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) area and surrounding regions. The scheme will channel and store water from Sungai Muda at Naok Dam, ensuring a stable and continuous water supply to support paddy cultivation and related agricultural activities in the area.
The government is also driving the national ruminant industry forward through the Pengganda30 Programme, a high-impact initiative under the 13th Malaysia Plan aimed at achieving a 50% self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for ruminant meat by 2030. With a project cost of RM450 million, the programme is designed as an integrated intervention to rapidly increase the population of meat ruminants, including cattle and goats, delivering substantial impact within a short timeframe.
These projects are part of the government’s broader efforts under the National Food Security Programme to address food production challenges and ensure sustainable agricultural growth. In response to a question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) during Question Time on Feb 9, Chan outlined the scope, locations, and allocations of these initiatives. Siti Zailah had sought details on high-impact agricultural projects implemented nationwide, including their implementation strategies and the government’s role in advancing food security.
Chan emphasized that these projects are part of a comprehensive approach to strengthen Malaysia’s agricultural sector. The upgrades to existing TKPMs and the development of new parks aim to increase food production capacity, while the ZIA initiative focuses on modernizing aquaculture practices to meet growing demand. Similarly, the Jeniang Water Transfer Scheme and Pengganda30 Programme are tailored to address specific challenges in water resource management and ruminant production, respectively.
The deputy minister noted that these initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and supporting the livelihoods of farmers and producers. By investing in infrastructure, technology, and targeted interventions, the government aims to create a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector.
The announcement underscores the importance of sustained investment in agriculture to meet the country’s food security goals while fostering economic growth in rural areas. With these projects spanning multiple states and focusing on diverse agricultural domains, the government is taking proactive steps to address both immediate and long-term challenges in food production and resource management.
This multi-faceted approach demonstrates the government’s determination to position Malaysia as a leader in sustainable agriculture while ensuring the nation’s food supply remains secure and self-sufficient in the years to come.
